WO2016131146A1 - Energy recovery assembly, energy recovery ventilation system comprising an energy recovery assembly and method of operation for same - Google Patents
Energy recovery assembly, energy recovery ventilation system comprising an energy recovery assembly and method of operation for same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2016131146A1 WO2016131146A1 PCT/CA2016/050158 CA2016050158W WO2016131146A1 WO 2016131146 A1 WO2016131146 A1 WO 2016131146A1 CA 2016050158 W CA2016050158 W CA 2016050158W WO 2016131146 A1 WO2016131146 A1 WO 2016131146A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- beads
- bead
- conduit section
- energy recovery
- receiving conduit
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F12/00—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
- F24F12/001—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
- F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
- F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
- F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
- F24F3/147—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification with both heat and humidity transfer between supplied and exhausted air
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
- Y02B30/56—Heat recovery units
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of energy recovery. More particularly, it relates to an energy recovery assembly, to an energy recovery ventilation system including such an energy recovery assembly and to a method of operation for the same.
- Ventilation systems In the field of ventilation, it is known to use ventilation systems in order to help maintaining adequate indoor air quality in buildings, such as industrial buildings, commercial buildings, farming facilities, residential houses and the like. Such ventilation systems are commonly used to, amongst others, prevent stagnation of the inside air of the building via the intake of fresh outside air and the corresponding exhaust of inside air.
- the ventilation systems are commonly required to control the temperature and/or humidity level of the supply air brought inside the building in order to maintain a constant temperature and/or humidity level inside the building.
- Such control substantially impacts the energy consumption of the ventilation system, as it commonly requires, for example, the heating/cooling of the supply air before it is distributed inside the building.
- an energy recovery assembly for transferring thermal energy between outgoing exhaust air and incoming supply air, in an energy recovery ventilation system having at least one air transfer path through which the outgoing exhaust air and the incoming supply air flow sequentially.
- the energy recovery assembly comprises a plurality of beads, a bead receiving conduit section, at least one bead inlet for each bead receiving conduit section and at least one bead outlet for each bead receiving conduit section.
- Each one of the plurality of beads is made of thermal conductive material.
- the bead receiving conduit section is positioned across each one of the at least one air transfer path of the ventilation system.
- the bead receiving conduit section is configured to receive and retain corresponding ones of the plurality of beads therein.
- Each one of the at least one bead inlet is configurable between an open configuration allowing introduction of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads in the bead receiving conduit section and a closed configuration where the at least one bead inlet closes the bead receiving conduit section and prevents introduction of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads therein.
- Each one of the at least one bead outlet is configurable between an open configuration allowing removal of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from the bead receiving conduit section and a closed configuration where the at least one bead outlet closes the bead receiving conduit section and prevents removal of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads therefrom.
- each bead receiving conduit section comprises at least two bead receiving chambers.
- Each one of the at least two bead receiving chambers is configured to receive and retain a subset of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads.
- each one of the at least two bead receiving chambers is operatively connected to one of the at least one bead inlet and one of the at least one bead outlet.
- each one of the plurality of beads has a substantially spherical shape.
- each one of the plurality of beads comprises at least one through hole extending therethrough.
- each one of the plurality of beads has a substantially isogonal polyhedron shape with at least two open faces and a hollow core. [0014] In an embodiment, each one of the plurality of beads has a substantially 0- ring shape.
- the plurality of beads is divided in at least two bead material subsets, each comprising beads made of a distinct thermal conductive material.
- the beads of each one of the at least two bead material subsets are received in a distinct bead receiving conduit section.
- the plurality of beads is divided in at least two bead size subsets, each comprising beads having a distinct size.
- the beads of each one of the at least two bead size subsets are received in a distinct bead receiving conduit section.
- an energy recovery ventilation system having at least one air transfer path through which outgoing exhaust air and incoming supply air flow sequentially.
- the energy recovery ventilation system comprises a ventilation assembly and an energy recovery assembly.
- the ventilation assembly comprises at least one ventilation unit operating to generate an airflow along the at least one air transfer path and at least one conduit defining the at least one air transfer path.
- the energy recovery assembly comprises a plurality of beads, a bead receiving conduit section for each one of the at least one conduit defining the at least one air transfer path, at least one bead inlet for each bead receiving conduit section and at least one bead outlet for each bead receiving conduit section.
- Each one of the plurality of beads is made of thermal conductive material.
- Each bead receiving conduit section is configured to receive and retain corresponding ones of the plurality of beads therein.
- each one of the at least one bead inlet is configurable between an open configuration allowing introduction of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads in the bead receiving conduit section and a closed configuration where the at least one bead inlet closes the bead receiving conduit section and prevents introduction of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads therein and each one of the at least one bead outlet is configurable between an open configuration allowing removal of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from the bead receiving conduit section and a closed configuration where the at least one bead outlet closes the bead receiving conduit section and prevents removal of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads therefrom.
- the energy recovery ventilation system is an energy recovery ventilation system of a building.
- each bead receiving conduit section comprises at least two bead receiving chambers.
- Each one of the at least two bead receiving chambers is configured to receive and retain a subset of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads.
- each one of the at least two bead receiving chambers is operatively connected to one of the at least one bead inlet and one of the at least one bead outlet.
- each one of the plurality of beads has a substantially spherical shape.
- each one of the plurality of beads comprises at least one through hole extending therethrough.
- each one of the plurality of beads has a substantially isogonal polyhedron shape with at least two open faces and a hollow core.
- each one of the plurality of beads has a substantially O- ring shape.
- the plurality of beads is divided in at least two bead material subsets, each comprising beads made of a distinct thermal conductive material. The beads of each one of the at least two bead material subsets are received in a distinct bead receiving conduit section. [0027] In an embodiment, the plurality of beads is divided in at least two bead size subsets, each comprising beads having a distinct size. The beads of each one of the at least two bead size subsets are received in a distinct bead receiving conduit section.
- a method for performing energy recovery in a building comprises the steps of generating an airflow along at least one air transfer path; retaining a plurality of beads in at least one bead receiving conduit section; and transferring thermal energy between the outgoing exhaust air and the incoming supply air through the sequential flow of outgoing exhaust air and the incoming supply air in the at least one bead receiving conduit section where the plurality of beads are retained.
- the airflow provides outgoing exhaust air being exhausted outside of the building and incoming supply air being supplied inside the building in each one of the at least one air transfer path sequentially.
- Each one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section is located across one of the at least one air transfer path.
- Each one of the plurality of beads is made of thermal conductive material.
- the method of claim further comprises the steps of removing corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section; and reintroducing at least a subset of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads in the one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section.
- the method further comprises the steps of cleaning the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads.
- the step of removing corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section further comprises the step of configuring a bead outlet in an open configuration.
- the step of reintroducing at least a subset of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads in the one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section further comprises the step of configuring a bead inlet in an open configuration.
- the method further comprises the steps of: removing corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section; and reintroducing a plurality of beads in the one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section.
- the beads being reintroduced are different from the removed corresponding ones of the plurality of beads.
- the step of removing corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section further comprises the step of configuring a bead outlet in an open configuration.
- the step of reintroducing at least a subset of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads in the one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section further comprises the step of configuring a bead inlet in an open configuration.
- Figures 1A and 1 B are schematic representations of an energy recovery ventilation system of a building, according to an embodiment where the ventilation unit includes two reversible fans operating in opposite directions sequentially, and wherein Figure 1A shows a first operating sequence and Figure 1 B shows a second operating sequence.
- Figures 2A and 2B are schematic representations of an energy recovery ventilation system of a building, according to another embodiment where the energy recovery ventilation system includes a supply duct and an exhaust duct, and wherein Figure 2A shows a first operating sequence and Figure 2B shows a second operating sequence.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a portion of an energy recovery ventilation system, in accordance with an embodiment, and wherein bead receiving conduit sections of the energy recovery ventilation system are shown without beads inserted therein.
- Figure 4 is a schematic elevation representation showing one bead receiving conduit section of the energy recovery ventilation of Figure 3, with beads retained therein and showing partial views of an insulation layer and outer covering of a corresponding building.
- Figure 5 is a schematic elevation representation showing a cross-section of the bead receiving conduit sections of the energy recovery ventilation system shown in Figure 3, with beads retained therein.
- Figure 5A is an enlarged view of a subset of the beads retained in one of the bead receiving conduit sections shown in Figure 5.
- Figure 6 is a schematic top plan representation of bead receiving conduit sections of an energy recovery assembly of the energy recovery ventilation system, according to another embodiment.
- Figure 7 is a schematic front elevation representation showing a cross- section of the bead receiving conduit sections of the energy recovery assembly of the energy recovery ventilation system shown in Figure 6.
- Figure 7A is an enlarged view of a subset of the beads retained in one of the bead receiving conduit sections shown in Figure 7.
- Figures 8A to 8C are schematic perspective views of beads which can be used in the present energy recovery ventilation system, wherein Figure 8A shows an embodiment in which a bead has a substantially spherical shape, Figure 8B shows an embodiment in which a bead has a truncated icosahedron shape with open faces and a hollow core, and Figure 8C shows an embodiment in which a bead has a substantially O-ring shape.
- FIG. 1 A to 2B there are shown alternative embodiments of energy recovery assemblies 30, 130 operative to transfer thermal energy between outgoing exhaust air 15, 1 15 and incoming supply air 16, 1 16, wherein similar features are numbered using the same reference numerals in the 10 series in Figures 1A and 1 B and in the 100 series in Figures 2A and 2B.
- the energy recovery assembly 30, 130 is operative to transfer thermal energy between outgoing exhaust air 15, 1 15 and incoming supply air 16, 1 16, in an energy recovery ventilation system 10, 1 10 of a building 20, 120.
- the energy recovery ventilation system 10, 1 10 includes a ventilation assembly 1 1 , 1 1 1 with a ventilation unit 12, 1 12 operating to generate an airflow and at least one conduit 13, 1 13 which defines at least one air transfer path 14, 1 14 where the outgoing exhaust air 15, 1 15 and the incoming supply air 16, 1 16 flow sequentially, as a result of the airflow generated by the ventilation unit 12, 1 12.
- the outgoing exhaust air 15, 1 15 is exhausted outside of the building 20, 120, from the inside, and incoming supply air 16, 1 16 is supplied inside the building 20, 120, from outside, to counterbalance the exhausted outgoing exhaust air 15, 1 15.
- the ventilation unit 12 includes two reversible fans 21 a and 21 b operating in opposite directions sequentially (i.e. one of the fans 21 a operates continuously in a first direction for a definite time period and in the opposite direction for another definite time period, with the other fan 21 b operating simultaneously in the directions opposite to the operating direction of the first fan 21 a).
- the ventilation unit 12 includes two reversible fans 21 a and 21 b operating in opposite directions sequentially (i.e. one of the fans 21 a operates continuously in a first direction for a definite time period and in the opposite direction for another definite time period, with the other fan 21 b operating simultaneously in the directions opposite to the operating direction of the first fan 21 a).
- different types and/or quantities of air circulation apparatus can be used for the ventilation unit 12.
- Figure 1 A shows a first sequence where the first fan 21 a operates in the supply direction, thereby supplying incoming supply air 16 inside the building 20, and the second fan 21 b operates in the exhaust direction, thereby exhausting exhaust air 15 outside of the building 20.
- Figure 1 B shows a second sequence where the first fan 21 a operates in the exhaust direction and the second fan 21 b operates in the supply direction.
- the first sequence and the second sequence are continuously performed alternately, each sequence lasting a definite time period, such as, without being limitative, between about 1 minute and about 10 minutes.
- the fans 21 a and 21 b are operatively connected to a control assembly (not shown) controlling the operation thereof.
- gravity shutters 22a, 22b are provided to open or close the air inlet 23 and air outlet 24 of the conduit 13 associated with the corresponding fan 21 a, 21 b, depending on the direction in which the fan 21 a, 21 b operates.
- Inwardly opening gravity shutters 22a are provided at the air inlets 23.
- the inwardly opening gravity shutters 22a open towards the inside and are driven in an open configuration when the fan 21 a, 21 b operates in the exhaust direction (see fan 21 b in Figure 1 A and fan 21 a in Figure 1 B) and are driven in a closed configuration when the fan 21 a, 21 b operates in the supply direction (see fan 21 a in Figure 1 B and fan 21 b in Figure 1 B).
- outwardly opening gravity shutters 22b are provided at the air outlets 24.
- the outwardly opening gravity shutters 22b open towards the outside and are driven in the closed configuration when the fan 21 a, 21 b operates in the exhaust direction (see fan 21 b in Figure 1 A and fan 21 a in Figure 1 B) and are driven in the open configuration when the fan 21 a, 21 b operates in the supply direction (see fan 21 a in Figure 1 A and fan 21 b in Figure 1 B).
- filters 25 are also provided at the air inlets 23 and air outlets 24 of the conduits 13 in order to minimize the amount of dust and debris entering the conduits 13.
- no filters could be provided or alternate means to the above described shutter mechanism could be used to open/close the air inlets 23 and air outlets 24 of the conduits 13.
- the same opening in the conduit 13 could be used for both the air inlet 23 and air outlet 24.
- FIG. 2A shows an energy recovery ventilation system 1 10 for a building 120, according to an alternative embodiment where the energy recovery ventilation system 1 10 includes a supply duct 1 17 and an exhaust duct 1 18.
- the energy recovery ventilation system 1 10 once again includes two reversible fans 121 a and 121 b operating in opposite directions sequentially.
- Figure 2A shows a first sequence where the first fan 121 a operates in the supply direction to generate incoming supply air 1 16 and the second fan 121 b operates in the exhaust direction to generate outgoing exhaust air 1 15 in the conduits 1 13.
- Figure 2B shows a second sequence where the first fan 121 a operates in the exhaust direction and the second fan 121 b operates in the supply direction.
- the first sequence and the second sequence are once again continuously performed alternately, each sequence lasting a definite time period, such as, without being limitative between about 1 minute and about 10 minutes.
- the fans 121 a and 121 b are operatively connected to a control assembly (not shown) controlling the operation thereof.
- the conduits 1 13 are connected to a supply duct 1 17 and an exhaust duct 1 18 of the building 120.
- Each one of the supply duct 1 17 and the exhaust duct 1 18 includes a plurality of openings used respectively as air inlets 123 in the exhaust duct 1 18 and air outlets 124 in the supply duct 1 17.
- the supply duct 1 17 and exhaust duct 1 18 include gravity shutters 122a, 122b at opposed ends thereof, proximate to the first fan 121 a and second fan 121 b.
- the gravity shutters 122a, 122 are opened/closed depending on the direction in which the fan 121 a, 121 b operates and are used to direct the outgoing exhaust air 1 15 in the exhaust duct 1 18 and the incoming supply air 1 16 in the supply duct 1 17.
- Inwardly opening gravity shutters 122a are provided at opposed ends of the supply duct 1 17.
- the inwardly opening gravity shutters 122a open towards the inside of the supply duct 1 17 and are driven in an open configuration at the end proximate to the fan 121 a, 121 b operating in the supply direction (see fan 121 a in Figure 2A and fan 121 b in Figure 2B) and in a closed configuration at the end proximate to the fan 121 a, 121 b operating in the exhaust direction (see fan 121 b in Figure 2A and fan 121 a in Figure 2B).
- outwardly opening gravity shutters 122b are provided at opposed ends of the exhaust duct 1 18.
- the outwardly opening gravity shutters 122b open towards the outside of the exhaust duct 1 18 and are driven in a closed configuration at the end proximate to the fan 121 a, 121 b operating in the supply direction (see fan 121 a in Figure 2A and fan 121 b in Figure 2B) and in an open configuration at the end proximate to the fan 121 a, 121 b operating in the exhaust direction (see fan 121 b in Figure 2A and fan 121 a in Figure 2B).
- filters 125 are also provided at the opposed ends of each one of the supply duct 1 17 and the exhaust duct 1 18, to minimize the dust and debris reaching the fans 121 a, 121 b.
- the ventilation assembly 1 1 including the ventilation unit 12 and the conduits 13 (defining the transfer paths 14) of the energy recovery ventilation system 10, is adapted to the required airflow of the associated structure. Therefore, in the case of a building, the number of conduits 13 defining different air transfer paths 14, where the outgoing exhaust air 15 and the incoming supply air 16 flow sequentially, the number of ducts 17, 18, and the type of ventilation unit 12, depends on the required airflow and can vary greatly depending on the size and architecture of the building 20. Hence, the ventilation unit 12 used and the size, shape and/or configuration of the conduits 13 defining different air transfer paths 14 and connected ducts 17, 18 can differ from the embodiment shown, the illustrated embodiments being given herein only for exemplary purposes.
- the ventilation assembly 1 1 is adapted for a building 20, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the ventilation assembly 1 1 of the energy recovery ventilation system 10 can be adapted to other structures and/or apparatuses, such as high heat apertures having intake/exhaust of air therefrom.
- the ventilation assembly 1 1 of the energy recovery ventilation system 10 can be adapted to industrial ovens or the like.
- the energy recovery ventilation system 10 is configured such that each one of the incoming supply air 16 and the outgoing exhaust air 15 flows through an energy recovery assembly 30 thereof, positioned across the corresponding ones of the transfer paths 14.
- the energy recovery assembly 30 includes a bead receiving conduit section 32 for each conduit 13 which defines an air transfer path 14 and where the incoming supply air 16 and the outgoing exhaust air 15 flow sequentially.
- the bead receiving conduit section 32 is a section of the corresponding conduit 13, positioned proximate to the entrance of the conduit 13 for the incoming supply air 16 and the exit of the conduit 13 for the outgoing exhaust air 15.
- the bead receiving conduit section 32 can have various sizes and shapes which allow a plurality of beads 34 to be inserted and retained therein, as will be described in more details below.
- each bead receiving conduit section 32 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- the bead receiving conduit sections 32 can have many different shapes for containing the plurality of beads, which can differ from the substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape of the embodiment shown.
- the bead receiving conduit sections 32 extends substantially vertically along a portion of an external wall 19 of the building 20, under the outer covering 19a and the insulation layer 19b thereof (See Figures 4 and 5).
- the outer covering 19a and the insulation layer 19b provide thermal insulation from the outside environment of the building 20.
- the bead receiving conduit sections 32 of the embodiment shown are substantially vertical, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the bead receiving conduit sections 32 can also be angled from a substantially vertical position or be substantially horizontal.
- the bead receiving conduit section 32 can also be positioned in a location different than along the portion of an external wall 19 of a building 20 and/or can use different insulating means or methods in order to thermally insulate the beads from the environment.
- the ventilation assembly 1 1 of the energy recovery ventilation system 10 can be adapted to a structure and/or apparatus, different than a building and can therefore extend along a section of this structure/apparatus.
- each bead receiving conduit section 32 includes sub-sections configured to receive and retain a subset of the beads 34 of the bead receiving conduit section 32.
- each bead receiving conduit section 32 includes four bead receiving chambers 33, but one skilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown) a different number of bead receiving chambers 33 (or no bead receiving chambers 33) can be provided.
- the bead receiving chambers 33 can be configured in a series configuration, or in a combination of parallel and series configurations.
- each bead receiving conduit section 32 includes an inner (top) bead blocking member 36 and an outer (bottom) bead blocking member 37 configured to retain the beads 34 in the bead receiving conduit section 32.
- the outer bead blocking member 37 prevents the beads from being released at an outer end of the conduit section 32 (e.g.
- the inner bead blocking member 36 prevents the beads from being released towards the corresponding fan 21 a, 21 b at an inner end of the conduit section 32 (e.g. a top of the conduit section 32 in the embodiment shown), for example, as incoming supply air 16 flows through the conduit section 32.
- the inner bead blocking member 36 and outer bead blocking member 37 are support grids, but one skilled in the art will understand that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), other components or mechanisms for retaining the beads 34 in the bead receiving conduit section 32 can also be used.
- each bead receiving conduit section 32 includes at least one bead inlet 38 which allows selective introduction of the beads 34 in the bead receiving conduit section 32 and at least one bead outlet 39 which allows selective removal of the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from the bead receiving conduit section 32.
- Each one of the at least one bead inlet 38 is configurable between an open configuration (shown in figure 5) allowing access to the bead receiving conduit section 32 and introduction of the beads 34 in the bead receiving conduit section 32 and a closed configuration (not shown) where access to the bead receiving conduit section 32 is prevented and introduction of the beads 34 in the bead receiving conduit section 32 is consequently also prevented.
- Each one of the at least one bead outlet 39 is also configurable between an open configuration (shown in figure 5) allowing access to the bead receiving conduit section 32 and removal of the beads 34 from the bead receiving conduit section 32 and a closed configuration (not shown) where access to the bead receiving conduit section 32 is prevented and removal of the beads 34 from the bead receiving conduit section 32 is consequently also prevented.
- the bead inlet 38 and bead outlet 39 each are manual trap doors selectively openable and closeable, for example and without being limitative, from outside the building 20, and which can be locked in the closed configuration when the beads are retained inside the bead receiving conduit section 32.
- the bead inlet 38 and bead outlet 39 can be positioned differently than in the embodiment shown.
- the bead inlet 38 and/or bead outlet 39 can be located in the corresponding one of the top bead blocking member 36 and bottom bead blocking member 37.
- other components or mechanisms which allow selective introduction/removal of the beads in/from the bead receiving conduit section 32, distinct from the above described manual trap doors can also be used.
- one bead inlet 38 and one bead outlet 39 can be provided for each bead receiving chamber 33.
- each bead outlet 39 and corresponding bead inlet 38 allows easy selective access to the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33 and therefore allows easy removal and reintroduction of the beads 34 into the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33 of the bead receiving conduit section 32, for example and without being limitative, for cleaning purposes, bead replacement purposes or the like.
- the cleaning process of the beads 34 contained in one of the bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33 of the bead receiving conduit section 32 can be performed manually, by configuring the bead outlet 39 in the open configuration, removing the beads 34 from the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33, through the bead outlet 39, and cleaning the beads. Subsequently the beads 34 can be reinserted in the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33, by configuring the corresponding bead inlet 38 in the open configuration (with the corresponding bead outlet being previously reconfigured in the closed configuration).
- the cleaning process can also be automated, for example and without being limitative, through the use of an automated washing device (not shown).
- the automated washing device can be configured to automatically configure the bead outlet 39 in the open configuration, remove the beads 34 from the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33, though the bead outlet 39, clean the beads and subsequently reintroduce the beads 34 in the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33, through the corresponding bead inlet 38, by configuring the corresponding bead inlet 38 in the open configuration (with the corresponding bead outlet being previously reconfigured in the closed configuration).
- the automated washing device can operate automatically to proceed with the cleaning of the beads 34 of the different bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33 sequentially, when required or at predetermined intervals.
- the bead outlet 39 can be configured in the open configuration to remove the beads from the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33, though the bead outlet 39, and the corresponding bead inlet 38 can be configured in the open configuration (with the corresponding bead outlet being previously reconfigured in the closed configuration), to introduce new beads, with or without previously removed beads, in the corresponding bead receiving conduit section 32 or bead receiving chambers 33 through the corresponding bead inlet 38
- each bead receiving conduit section 232 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
- the bead receiving conduit section 232 is located in an external structure having an outer covering 219a and an insulation layer 219b thereof, such that the bead receiving conduit section 232 is thermally insulated from the outside environment of the building 220.
- each bead receiving conduit section 232 includes three bead receiving chambers 233 configured to receive and retain a subset of the beads 234 of the bead receiving conduit section 232.
- the division of the bead receiving conduit section 232 into multiple bead receiving chambers 233 allows a smaller quantity of beads to be retained in each chamber 233, but it will be understood that, in alternative embodiments, another amount of bead receiving chambers 233 or no bead receiving chamber 233 could be provided.
- the bead receiving conduit sections 232 of the illustrated embodiment are substantially vertical, in an alternative embodiment, the bead receiving conduit sections 232 could be angled from a substantially vertical position.
- the bead receiving conduit sections 32 can also have sizes, shapes, configurations and/or positioning which differ from the illustrated embodiments.
- the size, shape, configuration and/or positioning of the bead receiving conduit sections 32 is adapted according to the structures and/or apparatuses for which the energy recovery ventilation system 10 is installed.
- the size, shape, configuration and/or positioning of the bead receiving conduit sections 32 is adapted to the architecture of the building 20 and the required airflow of the corresponding conduits 13 thereof.
- an energy recovery ventilation system 10 can include multiple bead receiving conduit sections 32, each having sizes shapes and/or positioning which differ from one another in order to adapt to the required airflow of the corresponding conduits 13 of the structure or apparatus for which the energy recovery ventilation system 10 is installed.
- bead receiving conduit sections 32 can be connected to the remainder of the ventilation assembly 1 1 by a top section of the bead receiving conduit sections 32, in an embodiment the bead receiving conduit sections 32 can be connected to the remainder of the ventilation assembly 1 1 by a bottom section or a side section thereof.
- each bead 34 is made of thermal conductive material, such as, without being limitative, aluminum, glass, granite, river rock, copper, iron, stainless steel, brass, bronze, or the like.
- the beads 34 are sized and shaped to allow the incoming supply air 16 and the outgoing exhaust air 15 to flow through the bead receiving conduit section 32, while performing thermal transfer with the beads 34.
- each bead 34 has a substantially spherical shape (see Figures 5A, 7A and 8A) and has a diameter ranging between about 1 ⁇ 4 inch and 6 inches.
- the beads 34 can have a shape distinct from the illustrated substantially spherical shape of Figures 5A, 7A and 8A.
- the beads 34 can include one or more through hole extending therethrough, thereby allowing airflow through the beads 34.
- the beads 34 can have a polyhedron shape, with at least two open faces and a hollow core between the open faces to allow the passage of the air through the beads 34.
- Figure 8B shows such an embodiment where the bead has a truncated icosahedron shape with open faces and a hollow core between the faces, such that the bead 34 is essentially composed of the edges of the truncated icosahedron.
- the bead 34 can also have a different polyhedron shape.
- the beads 34 can have a substantially O-ring shape (see Figure 8C).
- the beads 34 can have multiple shapes which allow the incoming supply air 16 and the outgoing exhaust air 15 to flow through the bead receiving conduit section 32, while performing thermal transfer with the beads 34 and should not be restricted to a specific bead shape.
- the material of the beads 34 may be selected to perform humidity exchange between the outgoing exhaust air 15 and incoming supply air 16 or simply to resist to high humidity and/or acidity of the outgoing exhaust air 15.
- each defining a different air transfer path 14 each defining a different air transfer path 14 (thereby resulting in multiple bead receiving conduit sections 32 where beads 34 are retained)
- the size and/or shape and/or material of the beads 34 of each one of the multiple bead receiving conduit sections 32 can be different, for example to be adapted to one of the temperature, humidity level, or acidity level of the outgoing exhaust air 15 and incoming supply air 16 of the particular bead receiving conduit sections 32 in which they are introduced and retained.
- the size and/or shape and/or material of the beads 34 of each bead receiving chamber 33 within a bead receiving conduit section 32 can also be different to be adapted to the specific air characteristics of the outgoing exhaust air 15 and incoming supply air 16 for the specific position of each bead receiving chamber 33.
- the above described energy recovery assembly and energy recovery ventilation system comprising the energy recovery assembly can allow heating of the outside air before it is supplied inside the building, using the thermal energy of the exhausted inside air transferred to the beads retained in each bead receiving conduit section 32.
- such energy recovery assembly and energy recovery ventilation system can also perform free cooling, i.e.
- the energy recovery assembly and energy recovery ventilation system comprising the energy recovery assembly allows maintenance (i.e. cleaning or recycling of the beads 34) to be performed on a portion of each conduit section 32 at the time (i.e. each bead receiving chamber 33 at the time), therefore leading to no down time of the system.
- the method comprises generating the airflow along the at least one air transfer path where outgoing exhaust air is exhausted and incoming supply air is supplied in each transfer path sequentially.
- the method further comprises retaining a plurality of beads in at least one bead receiving conduit section and transferring thermal energy between the outgoing exhaust air and the incoming supply air through the sequential flow of outgoing exhaust air and the incoming supply air in the at least one bead receiving conduit section where the plurality of beads are retained.
- each bead receiving conduit section is located across one of the at least one air transfer path and each bead is made of thermal conductive material.
- the method also comprises steps related to the cleaning or replacement of the beads.
- steps include the steps of configuring the bead outlet in the open configuration, removing corresponding ones of the plurality of beads from one of the at least one bead receiving conduit section, cleaning the corresponding ones of the plurality of beads (the case of cleaning purposes), configuring the bead outlet in the closed configuration, configuring the bead inlet in the open configuration and reintroducing the beads in the bead receiving conduit section.
- the reintroduced beads can be the beads previously removed, a subset thereof, or completely new beads (in the case of a replacement for example).
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/552,168 US20180045430A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-02-19 | Energy recovery assembly, energy recovery ventilation system comprising an energy recovery assembly and method of operation for same |
CA2976975A CA2976975A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-02-19 | Energy recovery assembly, energy recovery ventilation system comprising an energy recovery assembly and method of operation for same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562118804P | 2015-02-20 | 2015-02-20 | |
US62/118,804 | 2015-02-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2016131146A1 true WO2016131146A1 (en) | 2016-08-25 |
Family
ID=56688879
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CA2016/050158 WO2016131146A1 (en) | 2015-02-20 | 2016-02-19 | Energy recovery assembly, energy recovery ventilation system comprising an energy recovery assembly and method of operation for same |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20180045430A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2976975A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016131146A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5050667A (en) * | 1990-05-15 | 1991-09-24 | Erling Berner | Air ventilation and heat exchange apparatus |
DE4104423A1 (en) * | 1991-02-14 | 1992-08-20 | Erich Klawitter | Room ventilation installation with waste heat recovery - uses electronic switch controlling rotation of fan and heat storage battery |
US20030172546A1 (en) * | 2002-03-15 | 2003-09-18 | Bel-Art Products, Inc. | Apparatus and method for moisture control |
CN202338980U (en) * | 2011-12-12 | 2012-07-18 | 北京朗适新风技术有限公司 | Reciprocating heat recovery fresh air system |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4307773A (en) * | 1978-08-28 | 1981-12-29 | Smith Richard D | Fluid bed heat exchanger for contaminated gas |
DE3214958C2 (en) * | 1982-04-22 | 1986-10-30 | L. & C. Steinmüller GmbH, 5270 Gummersbach | Regenerative gas-gas heat exchanger in column design with heat transferring elements as a fluidized bed |
JP2000241091A (en) * | 1999-02-23 | 2000-09-08 | Agency Of Ind Science & Technol | Heat accumulator |
US8943848B2 (en) * | 2010-06-16 | 2015-02-03 | Reznor Llc | Integrated ventilation unit |
-
2016
- 2016-02-19 CA CA2976975A patent/CA2976975A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-02-19 WO PCT/CA2016/050158 patent/WO2016131146A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-02-19 US US15/552,168 patent/US20180045430A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5050667A (en) * | 1990-05-15 | 1991-09-24 | Erling Berner | Air ventilation and heat exchange apparatus |
DE4104423A1 (en) * | 1991-02-14 | 1992-08-20 | Erich Klawitter | Room ventilation installation with waste heat recovery - uses electronic switch controlling rotation of fan and heat storage battery |
US20030172546A1 (en) * | 2002-03-15 | 2003-09-18 | Bel-Art Products, Inc. | Apparatus and method for moisture control |
CN202338980U (en) * | 2011-12-12 | 2012-07-18 | 北京朗适新风技术有限公司 | Reciprocating heat recovery fresh air system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2976975A1 (en) | 2016-08-25 |
US20180045430A1 (en) | 2018-02-15 |
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